It’s a deal that has captured the imagination. And not just amongst the Rangers supporters either.
The sight of one of the country’s most exciting young talents packing his bags and agreeing terms with a ‘massive club on the European stage’ like Philippe Clement’s outfit might just see the Scottish Premiership’s viewing figures skyrocket in Northern Africa next season.
Only 12 Morroccan footballers have ever graced the Premiership stage.
Hamza Igamane, then, will be hoping that he is not unlucky number 13. The RAF Rabat forward is expected to join Rangers on a five-year deal to the tune of around £2 million imminently, per the Scottish Sun.
Another example of Clement and Nils Koppen’s far-and-wide approach to recruitment.
Rangers close in on RAF Rabat striker Hamza Igamane
“Hamza going to Scotland has been big news in Morocco,” Merouanne Zemmama, one of the aforementioned Morroccan dozen, tells the Scottish Sun. “Many players from here go to France and Belgium. But going to Scotland has been very interesting here.
“Rangers are a massive club on the European stage. So it’s good for football here that a club like that has scouted one of our young players and signed him.”
Zemmama spent five years in Scotland, wearing the green of Hibernian from 2006 to 2011. He feels that his compatriot Igamane will leave a positive impression too, the 5ft 11ins forward possessing the broad-shouldered physicality required to cope with the hustle and brawny bustle of the local game.
“I believe Hamza will succeed in Scotland,” Zemmama adds. “He’s a player who is going to be ideal for the style of football. I genuinely think he will do well there.
“Hibs fans — the ones who are old enough — will recall I was a smaller player who tried to use skill. But Hamza is a big, strong guy who will be ready for the physical side of football that exists in Scotland. That won’t worry him at all.”
That does not mean Igamane is lacking in the ‘skill’ department. A blend of steel and silk, Igamane can not only hold off defenders with his back to goal but can also leave them gasping for air with a quick change of direction and his shimmying footwork.
Cyriel Dessers linked with Ibrox exit
“He has good technique for a striker,” explains Zemmama, who had a spell in England with Middlesbrough after leaving Easter Road. “But he’s a powerful boy and he’ll actually be looking forward to testing himself against the kind of hard defenders that you have in Scotland.
“He hasn’t played for the full national team yet, but the squad is very strong. Morocco finished fourth at the World Cup in 2022. But the coach, Walid Regragui, has spoken about Igamane and how he has got him in his plans for the future.
“I’m excited to see how he’s going to do. I always watch the results in Scotland because I had good years of my playing career there.
“I’ll definitely be keeping a very close eye on Rangers in the new season.”
Igamane won the Moroccan top-flight as well as the Under 23 African Cup of Nations in 2023.
He remains a work in progress at just 21, however. Igamane scored only seven goals in 22 games last term, although a tally of six assists does highlight his ability to create chances as well as get on the end of them.
Rangers are also keen on Rapid Bucharest hitman Albion Rrahmani. The potential departure of Cyriel Dessers could open the door for both to arrive at Ibrox.
